Hello Gents, First post here.
So today I had my first, sketchy experience. I'm home alone doing my homework when I hear the door bell go off. Once I walked up the stairs, I see a man around 6'3" with corn-rolls and baggy clothes standing outside of the sliding glass door. He was facing away so I could not see his hands or face. I yell through the sliding door, "Whatchya need?" Meanwhile my boxer is going nuts. The man doesn't respond, keeping his face away from me.
I knew something wasn't right. I'm 18, so I cannot conceal carry. I do however own a couple handguns. I run downstairs, call my father while I unlock my G17. The door bell then begins to ring at a faster rate. I walked back upstairs with the firearm loaded behind by back. What do ya know?, he's got his back to me again. I then go back downstairs and lock my door. I call my Grandpa who is a retired State trooper next door. He said he was on his way by time we were off the phone. I then head up stairs to confront the man while I had someone with me. I then begin to head upstairs, being VERY cautious not knowing if he's inside. The man was gone, and my Grandpa showed up seconds after I got upstairs. Neither of us seen where he went.
The reason I did not call dispatch was due to the fact that I didn't know if he had violent intent. He could have been broken down or in need of a phone. However his actions and behavior leads me to believe otherwise. My main mistake was going back downstairs. I should have kept my eyes on him while I used the phone. This incident makes me wish that the concealed carry age wasn't 21. I would have been able to keep my eyes on the potential threat and assess the situation while getting to my means of defense.
Was I wrong in not calling 911?

No, don't call 911 right away, grab your Glock first. In your situation you are better off calling your grandfather anyway who can be over there immediately. You are also better off grabbing your gun than you are on waiting for an officer to show up because that could take way longer than it will take someone to come in and hurt you.

I don't think you made a mistake in going back downstairs to get your gun. However, you should probably have stayed downstairs until your grandfather came over and then y'all could check the house together. I probably would have run to grab the gun the minute I saw the guy instead of asking him what he needed. In fact, no reason to even ask the guy what he wants. Just wait til he goes away and have your gun ready in case he comes in. Yes, call grandpa while you wait.

You can call 911, and maybe you should if the guy looks like he's up to no good, but get your gun first!

__________________
Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza.
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The problem, as you so eloquently put it, is choice.
-The Architect
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He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose.
-Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

I'm not saying I agree with the age restrictions, you just mention it twice but this entire incident took place inside your home, so the age restriction is not relevent. You could have been carrying if you so desired.

__________________
Still happily answering to the call-sign Peetza.
---
The problem, as you so eloquently put it, is choice.
-The Architect
-----
He is no fool who gives what he can not keep to gain what he can not lose.
-Jim Eliott, paraphrasing Philip Henry.

I'm 20. When I am home, my gun goes on me. If I am traveling (and staying in Texas), my gun goes on me. Now, I am only allowed to carry it while in my vehicle and on my property; but my family all allow me to carry in their homes as well.

You did good. You recognized something unusual and did not answer the door to be "polite" to a stranger. You got your gun and called the nearest trained responder.

However, no need to go back upstairs to confront him. Your grandpa or other responder could do that.

We just installed a wireless IP camera over our front porch so we can see who is there before getting close to the door. We will not answer the door if it is a stranger. Family and friends have the courtesy to call us before stopping by. The only stranger I expect is UPS or Fedex and they knock and go.

He didn't respond because he wanted you to open the door
when you ran down stairs to get your gun you should have called gramps, let the dog out the other door to interview the guy , then ran back to the slider.

You mention that you didn't know if he'd gotten in and that you went down stairs to lock the (different?) door. I'd suggest correcting whatever it is that would allow someone in without you knowing about it.

...If I am traveling (and staying in Texas), my gun goes on me. Now, I am only allowed to carry it while in my vehicle and on my property...

I'm (way) over 20, in Texas, but don't have my permit yet in hand. I may have a gun concealed in the car, but it is not going to be on my person for once I step out of the car I would be carrying concealed without a proper permit. Should I get pulled over for any reason, I couldn't get out of the car and be legal. If asked to step out of the car I certainly don't want to be saying, "Officer, let me get this pistol out of my waste-band." And I certainly don't want to be grabbing for it and putting it away as the Officer is approaching.

If a person in Texas doesn't have a permit, I can't see that having a gun on your person in the car is a good idea at all.

</2¢>
Andrew

__________________NRA Life MemberThere are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

Yes, sorry, my reply goes seriously close to hijacking the OP's thread. But yes, my understanding of the Texas law is that I may have a loaded pistol concealed in the automobile. However, it can't be accessible to kids... and all other rules.

__________________NRA Life MemberThere are some ideas so preposterous that only an intellectual will believe them. - Malcolm Muggeridge

Sure times have absolutely changed. The fact of the matter is the op called out to the person on the other side of the door and they didn't respond. That, coupled with his constant looking away from the door would have put me on edge too. If his intentions were good, why not answer?

Maybe he didn't mean any harm. Maybe he did. Until all the facts are in I think its better to err on the side of caution.

And to the op, let me be another to drive this point home: when you get home put the gun on your belt and leave it there til you go to bed.

I don't answer or unlock the door even if its a cop just to stay in my comfort zone which is in my house. If someone pretends to be a authority figure and you feel something strange at all. Get your cell phone and tell the police there is someone you don't know in front or walking somewhere around your home. Criminals might try also to break in by convincing you to open the door. They have all kinds of ways like using other people like women to look lost and scared or a fake injury so you open the door. I think crooks break in when they feel a unlocked door and are very sure you are gone plus they don't want to really hurt anyone at all costs but they will though. They want your stuff. I doubt a smart crook would carry any weapons either. It would slow them down and if they get caught with their weapons they are in for some big prison time.

He was probably ringing your doorbell and looking towards the street for a reason.If you didn't respond,your door would have most likely been kicked in.The reason he was looking towards the street was to observe if he was being watched by a neighbor.

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